Zip codes are short distances to large gaps in health and hunger - especially now.
“The coronavirus has interrupted all of our lives. For people who rely on food distribution services, this has been devastating,” said Susan Pettengill, YMCA of the Triangle Vice President of Healthy Living. “As soon we suspended normal YMCA operations, our staff began collaborations with local agencies to help with food distribution in a variety of ways.”
That’s why the YMCA launched Delivering Good – YMCA Mobile Services to ensure that food and critical supplies are accessible to all populations regardless of their health or their ability to pay.
In the early days of this crisis, friends of the Northwest Cary YMCA and Crosspointe Church rallied to donate food to families facing significant challenges. On April 4, more than 800 cars traveled to the Southeast Raleigh YMCA to receive more than 40,000 pounds of food. Just days later, a team from the Kraft Family YMCA was called into service to deliver food to the Western Wake Crisis Ministry as the first official Delivering Good Mission.
“For the last two days, we were able to deliver 40 pounds of food to 25 senior citizens and families in Apex, Holly Springs and New Hill.” said, Angie Field, Kraft Family YMCA Branch Director. “Our staff are so excited and want to work even longer hours because the need is so great.”
Delivering Good - YMCA Mobile Services will expand throughout the Triangle in the coming days.
Focus on Safety
Delivering Good – YMCA Mobile Services will operate in full compliance with local and state health department guidelines and will include recommended social distancing practices. And, we are implementing enhanced cleanings on our YMCA buses.
“Since our inception in 1857, the Y has always been an organization that boldly walks toward challenging and pressing community needs,” said Doug McMillan, YMCA of the Triangle CEO. “Today is no different."
